Mountain Types
Generally, mountains are those pieces of land that rise above 2000 feet. Mountains exist
on every continent and even beneath the oceans. There are several different types of
mountains.
Volcanic Mountain
Volcanoes form volcanic mountains and these mountains are then shaped by further
eruptions, lava flows, and collapses. An example of a volcanic mountain is Mount St.
Helen in the state of Washington. On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helen, which is part of
the Cascade Mountain Range, erupted in one of the most violent eruptions ever recorded.
One whole slope of the mountain disintegrated, forever changing it. So explosive was this
eruption, that it also altered the height of the mountain by nearly 1,300 feet.
Other major Volcanic Mountains in North America include Mount Rainier also in
Washington, with an elevation of 14,410 feet, making it the highest peak of the Cascade
Mountain Range.
Dome Mountain
As their name states, Dome Mountains have a characteristic ‘dome’ top. In the USA, the
Black Hills of South Dakota offer excellent examples of dome topped mountains. Erosion
is believed to be a major factor in the shaping of most dome formations.
Fold Mountain
Again, the name describes how these mountains are made. Just like you fold your
clothes, the earth can move in similar ways. The earth can take pieces of itself, and with
time and great force and pressure, can push pieces of earth upward and fold them over
onto themselves. The Appalachian Mountains are a type of fold mountain.
Fault-Block Mountain
As in ‘Fold’ mountains, great force is behind the Fault-Block Mountains. What differs is
that instead of the earth folding over, the earth fractures (cracks) and blocks of earth are
stacked.
More Mountain Facts
* The Himalayas are the world’s overall tallest mountains.
* The Andes, which runs more than 4,900 miles, is the longest mountain range in the
world.
* Mauna Kea, Hawaii, with an elevation of 13,796 feet, is actually 32,000 feet tall from
its start on the sea floor, making it the world’s highest island peak from base to tip.
* Mount Everest, part of the Himalayas, is the highest point on earth, with a height of
29,023 feet. What many don’t realize is that Mount Everest is only one in this range of
over 30 peaks that rise to over 24,000 feet.